Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and the Computer Clubhouse at the Museum of Science Challenge Boston Students to Tackle Education Issues with Technology-Based Solutions

BOSTON— Global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) partnered with the Computer Clubhouse, a digital design studio for urban youth located at the Museum of Science, Boston, on Dec. 7 to host EdMakers: Reimagining Your Education Experience —  a day-long event that encouraged local students to use technology to tackle challenges facing education today.

Student participants, aged 10-18, worked in groups throughout the day with Clubhouse and HMH volunteers to identify issues from personal experiences at school and to invent solutions using three different mediums—film, game design and wearable technologies. The day culminated with a community showcase for family and friends.

“HMH shares the Computer Clubhouse philosophy that learning inspires change and that all students should have access to safe, inspiring learning environments,” said Brook Colangelo, Chief Information Offer, HMH, who visited with Clubhouse members during the challenge. “We were thrilled to work with the Clubhouse to create a unique event like EdMakers, which fuses innovation and social impact, and to provide a fun platform for kids to explore and engineer creative education solutions.”

Final EdMakers projects included:

• A glove and bracelet – “glovelet” – designed to curb boredom and prevent falling asleep during class by vibrating and flashing lights when the wearer’s pulse decreases
• A PSA film for educators demonstrating the contrasts between effective and ineffective classroom environments
• A video game, built in MineCraft, that allows players to gain points as they complete school-related tasks, such as choosing a healthy lunch in the cafeteria

“It was an absolute delight to see Computer Clubhouse youth tackling the challenges they face in today’s educational climate with such gusto.  When so many young people today are viewed as apathetic about education, their sense of engagement and their creative ideas were an inspiration,” said Gail Breslow, Director of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network.  “We are grateful to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for proposing the event, for their support, and for the enthusiastic participation of their employees.”

Student participants will also visit HMH’s Boston headquarters in February to learn more about the Company’s history and to discuss skills and career paths with employees.

EdMakers is the first installment of a new HMH activity series during which the Company will partner with Boston-based organizations on creative events that demonstrate its commitment to innovation while also addressing a social challenge impacting today’s learning communities. Partnerships are just one part of a dedicated corporate citizenship effort at HMH, which includes employee volunteerism programs, a multimillion dollar annual book donation program, employee/company gift-matching and Community Investment Councils — location-based employee committees charged with creating opportunities for colleagues to have a positive impact on the community.

 
HMH Chief Information Officer Brook Colangelo and Anthony, 11, Flagship Computer Clubhouse member

 

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ:HMHC) is a global learning company with the mission of changing people’s lives by fostering passionate, curious learners. Among the world’s largest providers of pre-K–12 education solutions and one of its longest-established publishing houses, HMH combines cutting-edge research, editorial excellence and technological innovation to improve teaching and learning environments and solve complex literacy and education challenges. HMH’s interactive, results-driven education solutions are utilized by 50 million students in over 150 countries, and its renowned and awarded novels, non-fiction, children's books and reference works are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.

About the Computer Clubhouse
Founded in 1993 by the Museum of Science, Boston, in collaboration with the MIT Media Laboratory, the Computer Clubhouse is designed to empower youth from all backgrounds to become more capable, creative, and confident learners. Grounded in research from the fields of education, psychology, cognitive science, and youth development, the Computer Clubhouse and its learning model have gained international recognition among educators and community leaders, and serves as a model for how technological tools can support learning, creative expression, and community development. In 1997, the Computer Clubhouse was awarded the prestigious Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation. Using the “flagship” Clubhouse at the Museum of Science, Boston, as a model, the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network supports 100 community-based Clubhouses around the world, providing thousands of youth with access to resources, skills, and experiences to help them succeed in their careers, contribute to their communities, and lead outstanding lives. www.computerclubhouse.org